10 Summer NYC Restaurant Openings You Need to Know

By Kelly Dobkin | June 12, 2014

Credit: Lauren J. Kaplan

New season, new restaurants. Here's a look at 10 crucial eateries opening (hopefully) in the next few months — from a whole-hog Carolina BBQ joint in Bushwick to a new Roman-style pizzeria from Danny Meyer and Nick Anderer.

David Waltuck (former co-owner and chef of Tribeca pioneer Chanterelle) and George Stinson (former GM of Chanterelle) are behind this Gramercy project whose menu focuses on classic technique with a "French accent." While not much is known at present, George will run front-of-the-house while David will run the kitchen, which will be open for dinner initially, with lunch and weekend brunch to follow.

Former Yardbird (Miami) chef Jeff McInnis and chef Janine Booth will open this neighborhood restaurant in the East Village, which will pay tribute to the timeless recipes and traditions of rural America. The eatery will serve traditional Southern fare cooked with modern techniques and seasonal ingredients.

Projected opening: Early July

Details:200 E. Third St.

Marta

Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group will open Marta with Maialino chef Nick Anderer this summer in the Martha Washington Hotel. Expect Roman-inspired pizzas and other dishes (meat, veggies, fish) cooked in the Italian tradition of alle brace, or over embers. The beverage list will showcase Italian as well as local craft beers, along with thoughtfully selected wines and cocktails. Marta will be open continuously seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks.

During the summer of 2012, chef Polo Dobkin left the now-shuttered Dressler to open his own restaurant, but after searching for the perfect location for months, he came full circle and purchased the Dressler space to gut-renovate and reopen as Meadowsweet with wife Stephanie Lempert. Polo will oversee the kitchen as executive chef while Stephanie will oversee the cocktail and wine program.

Projected opening: July

Details:149 Broadway, Brooklyn

Credit: Arrogant Swine

Arrogant Swine

This massive ode to the Eastern Carolina whole-hog experience from finance-guy-turned-pitmaster Tyson Ho is readying for a summer opening in Bushwick. The giant BBQ restaurant and beer garden is based on Ho's successful pop-up series, Hog Days of Summer.

Projected opening: July/August

Details: 173 Morgan Ave., Brooklyn

Cosme

Mexico City star chef Enrique Olvera (Pujol) is coming stateside to open Cosme in Flatiron in NYC this summer. While details are still scarce, Olvera tells Food & Wine that Cosme will serve "typical Mexican food that I love." [F&W]

Projected opening: Date still unknown

Details:35 E. 21st St.

Dirty French

This French-inspired project from the Torrisi crew — Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick — will open in the new Ludlow Hotel at some point this summer. While little is known yet about the cuisine, a press statement describes the offerings as "rebooted, provocative Gallic classics and embody the 'distinctly New York style and swagger'" of the group's food.

Projected opening: Summer

Details: 180 Ludlow St.

ABC vegetarian concept

Jean-Georges will open his third eatery within the ABC Carpet and Home complex on East 19th Street, but this time, he's going veggie. This vegetarian-focused concept will open in the former Le Pain Quotidien space, and the food will be globally inspired. [via NY Post]

Projected opening: August or later

Details: 38 E. 19th St.

Palm Court

Geoffrey Zakarian has taken over the food offerings at iconic NYC hotel (and now condo development) The Plaza. His relaunch of the legendary Palm Court is expected later this summer.